World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria

[video=youtube;s4pcrNAxZAk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=s4pcrNAxZAk[/video]


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When I get back tot he States I'm looking forward to my old hobby, and hopefully most of the bugs from the Mists of Pandaria expansion will have been resolved. I never took the time to bring up a Goblin or Wargon through their respective n00b arias when Capitalism came out, so I plan to take the time to actually read the quests, keep the sound on to take in the NPCs and ambiance.

With Cata, I simply changed my Hord Shammy to a Goblin for the trike and animated totems. I had a years-old Ali shammy I stopped playing due to the mechanics of the class at the time and my distaste for how space-goats looked. After Cata I just changed the shammy to a Dwarf and leveled him up. I also took my obligatory Night-Elf huntard and changed him to a Human. I enjoyed chasing down rare pet spawns with my Ali hunter nearly as much as winning TB on horde side with my Shammy.

That's about all I cared to do with the classes/races of Cata. The rest was was just playing new content with old toons.

I'm looking at creating a new account so that I can use a Scroll of Resurrection on my old account and get the Spectral Gryphin, and have a new toon brought up to lvl80 instantly. I don't know if it will work that way, though, but that's how I got the Touring Rocket so that's my starting point in figuring out how.



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One of the things I'm most looking forward to with this expansion is the change to the loot system. Ghost Crawler explains:

Personal Loot
Here is how looting works in today's Raid Finder groups:

• The boss dies.
• The game randomly decides which items off of the boss's loot table drop.
• The group rolls Need, Greed, or Pass on each item.
• If you were raiding with a group of friends, you might discuss who should get each item. Even if you ultimately lost, hopefully you are happy that a friend got an upgrade and that your group as a whole is now a little bit stronger.
• But if you're in Raid Finder, you are quite possibly alone with a bunch of strangers.
• So, if you can Need, you probably do, because there's no time for discussion, some of the rollers may be AFK, and even if you piss someone off, you aren't likely to have to pay the social cost of doing so since you'll never see them again.
• The highest roll wins.
• Drama ensues.

Here's how the new Raid Finder system will work in Mists of Pandaria:

• The boss dies.
• The game automatically decides who won some loot, and gives those players a spec-appropriate item.
• Some players may still get mad, but hopefully they are mad at the laws of probability and not at the rest of the raid.

So, realistically, that's really all you need to know to understand how it'll play out in-game. For those looking for more detail, here's what's happening behind the scenes:

• The boss dies.
• Each player has a chance to win loot, independent of the other players.
• For each player who wins loot, the game randomly assigns them a spec-appropriate item from that boss's loot table. This subset contains only items that the game (meaning the designers in this case) thinks are appropriate for your class and current spec.
• Notice that you aren't rolling Need or Greed. You don't have an option to Pass. The game just says "Take this."
• You can't trade this item, or that would defeat the purpose of removing the social pressure on groups of strangers. If you don't want the item, you are free to vendor, delete, or disenchant it.

The big difference here is that instead of kill -> loot -> roll, the new system uses kill -> roll -> loot. The loot is not determined until the winners are determined. It's all automatic, and you're under no obligation to pass or roll — these choices no longer exist. The game decides who gets loot, not the players. The end. Nobody is going to be a callous jerk and take the item that you rightfully deserve. Nobody is going to try to talk you into trading an item to them because they are down on their luck and can't ever win a weapon. No DPS dude is going to ninja the tanking shield that you need for your guild to progress.

Coffee with the Devs

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What do you think about the upcoming expansion?

I've quit already (after 5-6 years of playing), but I think if I still played I would I would go back into raiding again. It always seemed hard for me to find my spot in a raid group because you either get into a guild that is to small and can't get **** done, to big and no spots, or just right but is to hardcore. On the rare occasion I got into a guild that was just perfect, raided like every wed. and wasn't all hardcore about it. We ended by like midnight but we always got stuff done. Also, I should point out that I didn't pvp in WoW because I fulfilled that addiction with Eve Online (WAYYYYYYY better pvp than wow's system). Anywho, I hope y'll enjoy the new expansion, just make sure you don't become addicted like I was. GLHF

Jryan said:

I've quit already (after 5-6 years of playing), but I think if I still played I would I would go back into raiding again. It always seemed hard for me to find my spot in a raid group because you either get into a guild that is to small and can't get **** done, to big and no spots, or just right but is to hardcore. On the rare occasion I got into a guild that was just perfect, raided like every wed. and wasn't all hardcore about it. We ended by like midnight but we always got stuff done. Also, I should point out that I didn't pvp in WoW because I fulfilled that addiction with Eve Online (WAYYYYYYY better pvp than wow's system). Anywho, I hope y'll enjoy the new expansion, just make sure you don't become addicted like I was. GLHF

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I feel you there. I had the same problem just trying to get my shammy into the Throne of the Four Winds raid. Never happened, I never got the damn shoulder piece for the set.

I hear WoW is going to install some kind of raid finder. I don't know anything about it, though.

Jerry said:

I feel you there. I had the same problem just trying to get my shammy into the Throne of the Four Winds raid. Never happened, I never got the damn shoulder piece for the set.

I hear WoW is going to install some kind of raid finder. I don't know anything about it, though.

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They had it when I quit. It was pretty bad though because you got a lot of pugs that had NO idea what they were doing. That was even rarer to get a group.

Another problem I guess neither of us have mentioned is that some guild requirements are retarded. To get into a decent raiding guild it is like they say, "You have to of raided hardcore for five years in this new content that has only been out for 3 months to even be considered." I just never got the purpose of that I mean you have to raid the stuff first to be able to learn it.

WOW is a wow clone.

Jryan said:

They had it when I quit. It was pretty bad though because you got a lot of pugs that had NO idea what they were doing. That was even rarer to get a group.

Another problem I guess neither of us have mentioned is that some guild requirements are retarded. To get into a decent raiding guild it is like they say, "You have to of raided hardcore for five years in this new content that has only been out for 3 months to even be considered." I just never got the purpose of that I mean you have to raid the stuff first to be able to learn it.

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Yeah, keys locked in the safe. Totally.

I found a home on a new server (free character move ftw) and joined a young but growing guild. We adveretised that we were for new players wanting to learn. We started running heroics with n00bs to let them make their mistakes. To keep good players in the guild we ran smi-organised pugs, where I would tank or heal and others could kick back and dps or whatever. We were active and supportive in other ways that made the guild welcoming so good players kept in touch in case we were looking for a spot filled.

We eventually took up raiding with the same purpose, that most folks were there to learn and make n00b mistakes. We lost a couple along the way who just got frustrated with slow learners, but for the most part our guild did a good job popping everyone's raid cherry. At least they could go on to another guild and honestly say they had raided before.

I actually found that a good number of lvl25 guilds are more relaxed when it comes to raiding. Yeah they want the guild achievements but since they have all the perks the edge to collect guild exp is gon. Most of what I found in lvl25 guilds were regular players who wanted to raid so as to build guild rep and access BoA items. A lot of people would build up the guild rep to buy the BoAs they wanted and then bow out of the guild, but they were replaced with more folks looking to do the same thing. A revolving door. Those were the folks I would normally run with, but at it's best it was still relatively unreliable once you wanted ilvl360+ items.

I pity you if you're coming back as a shaman. They're getting hardcore nerfs. No longer can they drop all 4 totems at once. Basically, it's going to go back to the days of vanilla, except enhance shamans aren't going to be windfury OP.

I hear WoW is going to install some kind of raid finder. I don't know anything about it, though.

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They've had that since Cata. You can get randoms for regular groups, heroic groups, and raids. They incentivize you to do it too by offering gold, more valor/justice points (to buy gear), and buffs that increase damage and healing.

Jerry said:

Yeah, keys locked in the safe. Totally.

I found a home on a new server (free character move ftw) and joined a young but growing guild. We adveretised that we were for new players wanting to learn. We started running heroics with n00bs to let them make their mistakes. To keep good players in the guild we ran smi-organised pugs, where I would tank or heal and others could kick back and dps or whatever. We were active and supportive in other ways that made the guild welcoming so good players kept in touch in case we were looking for a spot filled.

We eventually took up raiding with the same purpose, that most folks were there to learn and make n00b mistakes. We lost a couple along the way who just got frustrated with slow learners, but for the most part our guild did a good job popping everyone's raid cherry. At least they could go on to another guild and honestly say they had raided before.

I actually found that a good number of lvl25 guilds are more relaxed when it comes to raiding. Yeah they want the guild achievements but since they have all the perks the edge to collect guild exp is gon. Most of what I found in lvl25 guilds were regular players who wanted to raid so as to build guild rep and access BoA items. Those were the folks I would normally run with, but at it's best it was still relatively unreliable once you wanted ilvl360+ items.

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Yeah, the problem comes into play when people get gear hungry. IE, I don't want to run THAT instance because THAT instance drops ilevel XXX and I need ilevel YYY. These people piss me off. Glad you found a good spot though Jerry that is a hard thing to accomplish in that game. In fact, I would consider playing again if I could found that "good spot". Just so annoying finding it because in that grey time you have to put up with all the other crap and I personally don't like burning people so I end up in a place i don't want to be. IE I join a guild and make friends but the guild sucks so I end up staying in it for my friends.

Well, if I ever get back into the game I'll give you a shout.

Believe it or not these are grown adults.

Gipper said:

I pity you if you're coming back as a shaman. They're getting hardcore nerfs. No longer can they drop all 4 totems at once. Basically, it's going to go back to the days of vanilla, except enhance shamans aren't going to be windfury OP.

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Wow, there's no need to take that away. In fact that ability is what made shaman playable. Having to drop totems one at a time is part of why I quit playing the class, and being able to drop all 4 at once is why I came back to it. Sure, I can pull out an old macro to drop them rapidly, but it still costs 4 global cool-downs. Dropping totems isn't what made shammys OP.

Anyone have a link to the PTR notes? I can't find it.

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I'm curious what the "new talent system" is....it seems like they are constantly refining the talent trees!

Have to say....so tempted but I enjoy that game waaaay too much. There's no such thing as moderation when I'm playing. I want to do everything possible.

Gipper said:

I pity you if you're coming back as a shaman. They're getting hardcore nerfs. No longer can they drop all 4 totems at once. Basically, it's going to go back to the days of vanilla, except enhance shamans aren't going to be windfury OP.



They've had that since Cata. You can get randoms for regular groups, heroic groups, and raids. They incentivize you to do it too by offering gold, more valor/justice points (to buy gear), and buffs that increase damage and healing.

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They have installed a raid finder

iliveonramen said:

I'm curious what the "new talent system" is....it seems like they are constantly refining the talent trees!

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Ok ive been playing mists of pandaria beta im lvl 87 atm...First let me say from what ive seen its far better than the cata expansion...keep in mind I have not seen any dungeons or new battlegrounds...just environment and npcs.

The talents...no more 31 talents...dont hold me to this but I believe theres like 6 or 8...ill go look later and post the exact number...i have to go out after I write this...anyway...there is no longer 3 trees...there is one tree and you can choose a single talent for an ability in all 3 trees and its the same for every talent....you get more talents from the start...so far the stats appear the same...str...agil...intel...I had thought they were getting rid of resillience but it seems its still there...remember this is still early beta so it will change

Ok I went and looked...there are 6 talents total...there are some new talents and there are NO TREES....each talent has 3 choices that appears to be one from each tree....like I said with some new talents added.

You cannot fly in the new area while lvling until your 90...you can fly in cata and prior areas....ok gotta run....if anyone has any questions ill try and answer them from what little i know.

lpast said:

Ok ive been playing mists of pandaria beta im lvl 87 atm...First let me say from what ive seen its far better than the cata expansion...keep in mind I have not seen any dungeons or new battlegrounds...just environment and npcs.

The talents...no more 31 talents...dont hold me to this but I believe theres like 6 or 8...ill go look later and post the exact number...i have to go out after I write this...anyway...there is no longer 3 trees...there is one tree and you can choose a single talent for an ability in all 3 trees and its the same for every talent....you get more talents from the start...so far the stats appear the same...str...agil...intel...I had thought they were getting rid of resillience but it seems its still there...remember this is still early beta so it will change

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I gothca thanks for the update! When you get time can you go a little more in depth? 1 tree and every talent is an ability now instead of "increase X by 10/20/30%" or what not?

Yeah I think they've done a good job streamlining the stats in Cata.

If they end up removing resiliance I think I might come back. I love PvP and love PvE but they've separated the two to the point where it's virtually 2 different games. I don't have time for th that.

Ok I went and looked...there are 6 talents total...there are some new talents and there are NO TREES....each talent has 3 choices that appears to be one from each tree....like I said with some new talents added.

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Awesome...the talent trees are getting bloated with all the expansions.

Check it out:Talent Calculator - Game Guide - World of Warcraft

Jerry said:

Check it out:Talent Calculator - Game Guide - World of Warcraft

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Awesome thanks Jerry. I have a mage, warrior, and shammy as well. I just checked out the shammy talent...they seem pretty awesome. Always liked that class because it's "different".

Edit: oooo...mass spell reflect for warriors...

iliveonramen said:

Awesome thanks Jerry. I have a mage, warrior, and shammy as well. I just checked out the shammy talent...they seem pretty awesome. Always liked that class because it's "different".Edit: oooo...mass spell reflect for warriors...

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I used to PvP all the time with a hunter. I thought it was ok, I didn't know any different. Then one day I thought I would try healing PvP with my shammy. I love it. You can have some balls while healing PvP and just run right in to get the flag. No worrying about a healer backing you up or that healer being taken out. No worries about being CC'd. I would run in, tap the flag, and watch the mob of enemies focus on me instead of my incoming buddies. I could heal my way through a ton of damage. My HoTs were good enough to carry me through most forms of CC for a half dozen seconds (an eternity).

Jerry said:

I used to PvP all the time with a hunter. I thought it was ok, I didn't know any different. Then one day I thought I would try healing PvP with my shammy. I love it. You can have some balls while healing PvP and just run right in to get the flag. No worrying about a healer backing you up or that healer being taken out. No worries about being CC'd. I would run in, tap the flag, and watch the mob of enemies focus on me instead of my incoming buddies. I could heal my way through a ton of damage. My HoTs were good enough to carry me through most forms of CC for a half dozen seconds (an eternity).

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I agree man....PvP healing is a blast. Hehe....the ultimate force multiplier. I also enjoy kiting as well. It's fun to kite that warrior while healing 3 people.

iliveonramen said:

I agree man....PvP healing is a blast. Hehe....the ultimate force multiplier. I also enjoy kiting as well. It's fun to kite that warrior while healing 3 people.

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I confess, I get a certain kick watching players sacrifice themselves to protect me. I know it's not 'me' they're protecting but the party, because by protecting 'the healer' they're allowing me to keep the mad healz flowing. If I was a dps spec that wouldn't give 2 ****s about me. But still...

Theres a new character...a panda monk...it looks like its awsome...not the panda character itself but its abilities...I believe down the road when everyone gets it down pat its going to be baaad....I rolled one..did 20 lvls..but I wanted to get used to my 85s in the beta...so I dropped it...I may pick it up and go further.
Also there is one talent spot with a question mark on it for all toons...seems blizz is keeping a special talent secret even in the beta at this point.